Govt Explores Seawater Desalination to Support Industrial Water Demand, Says BERNAMA

The government is studying the potential of seawater desalination technology as an alternative water source to support industries with high water demand, including data centres, BERNAMA reported.

According to the BERNAMA report, the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry said any large-scale implementation would need to consider factors such as location suitability, energy requirements, water production costs and overall economic viability.

In a written reply published on Parliament’s website, the ministry said the rapid expansion of the global data centre industry has introduced new challenges for national water planning, as data centres require both a reliable electricity supply and sufficient water for cooling systems.

The ministry said the government is taking a long-term approach to ensure the continued growth of the strategic industry without compromising public water security.

Responding to a question from Senator Dr Jufitri Joha in the Dewan Negara, the ministry stressed that data centre development should not rely solely on treated water, which must remain prioritised for domestic consumption.

Instead, industries with high water usage are encouraged to adopt alternative water sources, including reclaimed water (air pulih guna, APG), seawater desalination and other non-conventional sources, depending on operational needs and location.

The ministry added that the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia is currently researching the suitability of seawater desalination for island communities while also undertaking a pilot desalination project to supply clean water to an ESSCOM security post in Sabah.

The research and pilot project will help assess the technical, economic and operational feasibility of desalination technology before it is considered for wider use, including by industrial sectors.

Meanwhile, the government is also promoting the use of reclaimed water and rainwater harvesting systems as more cost-effective alternatives for data centres.

According to the ministry, four APG treatment plants in Peninsular Malaysia are currently supplying reclaimed water to data centres, with a combined production capacity of 19.5 million litres per day, helping reduce reliance on treated water while improving the efficiency of national water resource management.